Magical run for FGCU ends in defeat

Estero, Florida - Thanks to basketball, most of the nation knows Florida Gulf Coat University after the Eagles made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time ever in team history, but the streak ended Friday night.

The Eagles fell to the University of Florida Gators 62-50 during a match-up at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Still, the impact of what the FGCU men's basketball team achieved will be felt in Fort Myers, nicknamed Dunk City, for some time.

"Officially I can tell me people I go to FGCU and they won't ask where I go," said FGCU alum Solomon Zaremby, while attending a watch party at Miller's Ale House in Estero - a few blocks from the main campus.

The Eagles have done what word of mouth of has not - and that is announced to the world that FGCU is real and has plenty to offer.

"I'm trying to get a job and most people never knew on my résumé FGCU what the hell that meant. Not they know," said graduate Matthew Graziana, who was also watching the game from a massive inflatable television scene in the parking lot of the ale house at Gulf Coast Town Center.

While it is not a powerhouse of like the school that defeated by on Saturday, the Eagles may have put it on a track to get it there someday.